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But city outlays less on fire-rescue per resident than most of its peers

The nine-page study by the National University System Institute for Policy Research shows that in fiscal 2009-10, fire departments in San Diego County cumulatively spent $152.85 per resident, lower than Orange County’s total of $177.98 and Los Angeles’ $271.71.

San Diego’s figure remains the lowest even when factoring in the approximately $25 million in state funds expended by Cal Fire in the county annually.

The amounts also mean lower staffing levels in San Diego, with 8.5 fire department employees for every 10,000 residents, versus 9.01 in Orange County and 11.03 in Los Angeles, the analysis found.

The spending levels have been a persistent trend in the region over the past five years, according to the study.